Continuous Improvement Manager

About the role

The Continuous Improvement Manager at Gates will lead and ensure compliance with the Gates Production System (GPS) directives, partner with corporate GPS leadership to establish performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, safety, productivity, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and ensure compliance with Gates Production System (GPS) directives, including guiding engineering teams in the execution of Lean Six Sigma projects, maintaining current GPS documentation, and driving continuous improvement across all value streams.
• Partner with Corporate GPS leadership to establish performance metrics and documentation that effectively monitor and improve plant performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, safety, productivity, and operational performance by leading cross-functional teams through root cause analysis and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.
• Optimize equipment utilization and plant layout to support changing production requirements, improve workflow, and maximize operational efficiency.
• Lead capital improvement projects focused on process enhancements and increased internal and external customer satisfaction, including project research, justification, approvals, execution, and implementation.
• Develop and maintain business unit production capacity analyses, identifying gaps between current performance and True North objectives while leading initiatives to close those gaps.
• Champion root cause analysis and corrective action processes to eliminate recurring operational defects and reduce equipment downtime.
• Mentor and coach Engineering and Continuous Improvement teams to execute critical plant projects on time, within budget, and with sustainable results.
• Collaborate with Plant PDG/MDG teams and Corporate Engineering to develop innovative short- and long-term manufacturing solutions that improve operational performance.
• Provide daily leadership and direction to the engineering team while ensuring adherence to Gates Production System (GPS) standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field required.
• Minimum of 8 years of manufacturing experience; rubber manufacturing experience preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.
• Experience with Minitab or other statistical analysis software.
• Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement and change management initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience with CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or similar), equipment design, fabrication, and manufacturing process optimization.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage capital and operational excellence projects, delivering results on time and within budget.
• Strong knowledge of TPM, Poka-Yoke (Mistake Proofing), Fishbone Diagrams, 5 Why analysis, and process and equipment troubleshooting.
• Strong project management, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of quality systems and tools, including Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA/GRR, SPC, Process Capability Analysis, APQP, and PPAP.
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, PLC, hydraulic, pneumatic, and HVAC systems.
• Knowledge of thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and engineering materials preferred.

Qualifications

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future company sponsorship.

Skills

• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Project Management
• Quality Systems
• Engineering Software
• Process Optimization
• Root Cause Analysis
• Corrective Action Processes
• Team Leadership
• Capital Planning
• Operational Excellence

Benefits

• Full-time position
• Bonus eligible
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and voluntary benefit options
• Benefits effective the first day of the month following your hire date
• Three weeks of paid vacation plus eight paid sick days
• Eleven paid holidays annually
• 401(k) with company match up to 6%
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee discount program